Submitted by Jessica Haskell on Thu, 2021-04-29 10:54
Let’s Talk Transport
Our Let’s Talk Transport campaign has got off to a fantastic start with over 100 of you signing up to be involved in the campaign so far. For those of you who haven’t yet signed up, don’t worry you haven’t missed the boat! May will see the first of our events associated with the campaign, kicking off with Transport: a partnership approach on 13 May. As part of this event, Tim Bellemy (Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority Transport Strategy Manager) will be talking about mental health barriers to the use of sustainable transport and what can be implemented to help.
We will also be launching our micro documentary series about the Universal bus service and how it can support your sustainable travel on the 17 May. For more information about this and our other events please see our website.
Finally, if you would be interested in taking part in a focus group or 1:1 surgery session about what the Transport Team could do to help you overcome your barriers to sustainable travel, please fill in this expression of interest form.
Downing cycle parking improvements
We will shortly be publishing a Notice in the Reporter to inform the University of our plan for improvements to the cycle parking facilities at the Downing Site. The Notice is the last step in the University approval process before we submit the planning application. The improvements will seek to replace substandard infrastructure with modern appropriate facilities including the provision of cycle parking for adapted and non-standard bikes such as cargo bikes, hand cycles and wheelchair adapted bikes. It also aims to provide an uplift in the level of cycle parking available for when face-to-face teaching can resume and student numbers on site increase again. In its entirety the project will provide 317 improved and 263 new cycle parking spaces.
AV Trial restarting as lockdown eases
Smart Cambridge, a work stream within the Greater Cambridge Partnership, is working with RDM Group to trial the use of Autonomous Vehicles and examine the feasibility of the technology being used as part of a public transport offering.
After the trials being put on hold due to lockdown, the project team arrived back on site on 12 April to continue mapping the routes for use by the autonomous systems later in the trial.
Want to know more? We have two events coming up as part of our Let’s Talk Transport campaign where the project team will be sharing more information about the trial:
Cambridge Ahead Cycling Investment Survey
Cambridge Ahead have launched a survey to understand the views of residents and workers across the Cambridge region on the city’s cycle infrastructure. Investment in cycling infrastructure is a priority for the UK government, both nationally and locally, so it's important that investment decisions are guided by data. Whether you cycle regularly or not, Cambridge Ahead would like your views on how travel routes could be improved for cyclists in Cambridge. The Cycling Infrastructure Survey is anonymous and should take less than 15 mins to complete. It will close at midday on Monday 10 May.
Voi offering 20% discount for staff and students
Voi are further expanding the geographic area in which their e-scooters and e-bikes can be used in, as well as expanding their fleet. Discussions are underway to extend the service to include docking stations at West Cambridge and Eddington.
As well as this next phase of expansion, they are now offering all University of Cambridge staff and students a 20% discount to use the service.
Voi scooters operate in Cambridge as part of a Department for Transport approved trial, and they are the chosen supplier of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. Users download the Voi app in order to use the machines, and start their micro-mobility adventures. Safe riding earns free rides. GPS allows the machines to be speed-limited in areas of the city with high levels of pedestrian use, and the GPS tracking encourages users to ‘dock’ the machines in allocated suitable parking areas. Further details on using the scooters can be found here.
Changes to Universal timetable
The University have approved payment for additional buses on the Universal route. This will help maintain the timetable as traffic levels increase as well as providing additional passenger capacity as lockdown eases and the number of passengers continues rises. The current timetable can be found on the whippet website.
Rail consultations
East West Rail have launched their consultation about the new rail connect from Cambridge to Oxford which will run until 9 June 2021. This consultation covers the overall customer experience and railway operations for East West Rail, as well as a range of infrastructure proposals - such as route alignments, stations, and level crossings for the Bedford to Cambridge section of the route. You can have you say at: https://eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation
Written by Jo Beale, Transport Coordinator